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Tilden Nature Area

Trail Closure Notices
• Memory Trail, from Canon Drive to Packrat Trail, may be CLOSED or experience long delays for a fuels management project between 7am and 5pm Monday - Friday from October 11 through November 12. Also expect closures of Canon Drive with equipment in the road. Detour using Wildcat Canyon Road and Central Park Drive. This project will address drought-stressed and overcrowded forest conditions in order to protect the adjoining neighborhood from severe wildfires. See project ti006 under Fuels Management Updates for more information.

Park Info

Address:
Environmental Education Center (EEC)
(North End of Central Park Drive)
Tilden Nature Area Berkeley, CA 94708

Phone Number:
(510) 544-2233
Toll Free: 888-EBPARKS (888-327-2757), option 3, ext. 4564

Park Hours
Open between 5am and 10pm unless otherwise posted or permitted. Schedule details

Fees
Parking: No fee
Dogs: No dogs allowed in Tilden Nature Area

Maps
> Trail Map
> Park Map [PDF]
> Google Map

Naturalist Programs
> (510) 544-2233
> Browse programs online
> Go to program guide

For Educators
> Plan a field trip to this park
> Go to program guide

Weather Station
> Local weather & forecast

About The Park

Tilden Nature Area is a 740-acre preserve located just North of Tilden Regional Park. With over 10 miles of hiking trails, the preserve contains a blend of native and introduced plant communities, including oak/bay woodlands, grasslands, eucalyptus forests, and streams. Hikes range from the leisurely, self-guided Jewel Lake Nature Trail to a vigorous climb up Wildcat Peak (elevation 1,211 ft.) for panoramic, San Francisco Bay views. A 750-foot boardwalk through the woods leads to Jewel Lake, a historic reservoir and waterworks, and a peaceful place to watch wildlife.

At Tilden Nature Area one can also find the renowned Environmental Education Center (EEC), headquarters for the area's interpretive programs, and the historic Little Farm.

Park Hours

AREA	DATES	OPEN HOURS
Tilden Nature Area	Open Daily	5am - 10pm unless otherwise posted or permitted
Environmental Education Center (EEC) (510) 544-2233	Open year-round Tue. - Sun. Closed: Thanksgiving, Christmas & New Year’s Day	10am - 4:30pm
Little Farm (510) 544-2233	Tilden Little Farm is OPEN	During regular park hours
Indian Camp Gate Schedule:	The Indian Camp parking lot gate opens at 8am daily and is locked around sunset. Hours are as follows:
	Jan 1 - Feb 9 -- 8am - 6pm Feb 10 - Mar 10 -- 8am - 7pm Mar 11 - May 31 -- 8am - 8pm Jun 1 - Aug 31 -- 8am - 9pm Sep 1 - Sep 30 -- 8am - 8pm Oct 1 - Nov 4 -- 8am - 7pm Nov 5 - Dec 31 -- 8:m - 6pm

Park Calendar

Park Features

Environmental Education Center (EEC)

The naturalist staff offers interpretive programs throughout the year. Thousands of urban youngsters have learned their first lessons about nature at the EEC, or met their first farm animal at the Little Farm next door. Naturalist-guided programs for school groups and other organized groups are available Tuesday through Friday by advance registration. See the Field Trips page for details, or call the EEC at (510) 544-2233. Weekend programs provide exciting opportunities to learn about natural and cultural history throughout the Park District's Northwest region. Go to our program guide Web page to download our monthly program guide for a list of upcoming activities.

Inside the EEC you can explore exhibits that tell the story of the Wildcat Creek Watershed, find information on park activities, and purchase nature-related books and materials at the nature center store.

Little Farm

The Little Farm was built in 1955 and features a variety of farm animals including cows, sheep, goats, rabbits, chickens and pigs. Several heritage breeds are preserved here, including Milking Shorthorn Cattle. Visitors are welcome to bring lettuce or celery (but nothing else) to feed the animals. Download the Little Farm Brochure.

Park Activities

Bikes

All bikes are prohibited in the area of the Tilden's Environmental Education Center (EEC) and Little Farm, or on any single track trails in the Tilden Nature Area. To access Wildcat Creek Trail from the south, bikers must use the loop road above the EEC and Little Farm to Jewel Lake. Mountain Bikes are not allowed on the Laurel fire road connecting the Nimitz Way to the loop road.

Camping

Two group campsites are located in Tilden Nature Area--New Woodland (capacity 50) and Wildcat View (capacity 75), both located about one-quarter mile from the end of Lone Oak Road off Central Park Drive. For reservations, call 1-888-EBPARKS or 1-888-327-2757, press option 2. All reservations must be made at least 14 days in advance.

Dogs

Dogs are NOT permitted in the Tilden Nature Area.
Visit our Dog Information page!

Park Accessibility

The Environmental Education Center (EEC) is accessible to persons with disabilities. It has accessible parking and facilities.

To Reach The Park

From Hwy 80 , take the University Avenue exit in Berkeley. Follow University towards the hills, turn left onto Oxford St. Turn right onto Rose St. Turn left onto Spruce St. Follow Spruce up the hill, you will reach a stop sign at the top of the hill, proceed through the intersection and turn immediately left down Canon Dr. At the bottom of Canon, veer left onto Central Park Drive and follow into the parking lot for the Nature Area.
From Hwy 24 , exit at Fish Ranch Road. Take Fish Ranch Road to Grizzly Peak Blvd and turn right. Continue on Grizzly Peak Blvd. until you come to the intersection of Spruce Street, Wildcat Canyon Road and Canon Drive. Turn right on Wildcat Canyon Rd, then immediately make a sharp left down Canon Drive. At the bottom of the hill, veer left onto Central Park Drive and follow into the parking lot for the Nature Area.

Click here for public transit information.

Trail Map

Click the map image below to see an enlarged version.

Park Map [PDF]

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